thedrifter
12-08-05, 08:42 AM
Friends who joined Marines together killed in Encinitas crash
Karina Ioffee
Record Staff Writer
Published Thursday, Dec 8, 2005
Justin Travnicek and Douglas Hunter were inseparable.
They became fast friends at Lodi's Middle College High School, joined the Marines and shared an apartment near Camp Pendleton, where they were stationed. And on Sunday, they will be given full military honors and buried side by side at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi.
Travnicek, 21, and Hunter, 22, were killed Saturday by a speeding driver who crashed into their car. The men were inside a 2002 Volvo, which was stopped on the side of Highway 5 in Encinitas. They were ejected from the car and died from their injuries.
San Diego resident Jason Carl Gollmer, 25, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving resulting in death, authorities said.
Travnicek grew up in Lodi and joined the Marines after graduating in 2002. In 2004, he was sent to Iraq as a helicopter repairman, said his mother, Beverly Ives. He returned from his Iraq tour in the spring.
"When they are in Iraq, you are nervous. You're watching the TV, and when they finally get back, you say, 'Oh goody, now they are back,' she said.
Hunter, who grew up in Stockton and also graduated in 2002, was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. His family declined an interview request.
Cyndy Green, a teacher at Middle College High School, remembered Travnicek as a hard-working student.
"I think he went into the Marines to find direction and did pretty well there," she said.
At the time of the accident, Travnicek and Hunter each had two years of military service ahead of him.
Hunter had recently married, and Travnicek had plans to enroll in computer classes. Travnicek, a runner, will be buried in full military regalia but with running shoes on his feet and an iPod.
Travnicek's family plans a celebration at 1 p.m. Saturday at Twin Oaks Community Church, 8800 Thornton Road, Stockton. Graveside services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi.
Contact reporter Karina Ioffee at 209 546-8279 or kioffee@recordnet.com
Ellie
Karina Ioffee
Record Staff Writer
Published Thursday, Dec 8, 2005
Justin Travnicek and Douglas Hunter were inseparable.
They became fast friends at Lodi's Middle College High School, joined the Marines and shared an apartment near Camp Pendleton, where they were stationed. And on Sunday, they will be given full military honors and buried side by side at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi.
Travnicek, 21, and Hunter, 22, were killed Saturday by a speeding driver who crashed into their car. The men were inside a 2002 Volvo, which was stopped on the side of Highway 5 in Encinitas. They were ejected from the car and died from their injuries.
San Diego resident Jason Carl Gollmer, 25, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving resulting in death, authorities said.
Travnicek grew up in Lodi and joined the Marines after graduating in 2002. In 2004, he was sent to Iraq as a helicopter repairman, said his mother, Beverly Ives. He returned from his Iraq tour in the spring.
"When they are in Iraq, you are nervous. You're watching the TV, and when they finally get back, you say, 'Oh goody, now they are back,' she said.
Hunter, who grew up in Stockton and also graduated in 2002, was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. His family declined an interview request.
Cyndy Green, a teacher at Middle College High School, remembered Travnicek as a hard-working student.
"I think he went into the Marines to find direction and did pretty well there," she said.
At the time of the accident, Travnicek and Hunter each had two years of military service ahead of him.
Hunter had recently married, and Travnicek had plans to enroll in computer classes. Travnicek, a runner, will be buried in full military regalia but with running shoes on his feet and an iPod.
Travnicek's family plans a celebration at 1 p.m. Saturday at Twin Oaks Community Church, 8800 Thornton Road, Stockton. Graveside services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi.
Contact reporter Karina Ioffee at 209 546-8279 or kioffee@recordnet.com
Ellie